Nobody plans a celebration of life by choice. Most families are doing it in a matter of days or weeks, while grieving, with a long list of people to call. A good venue takes weight off that list. A poor fit adds to it.
A celebration of life is a flexible event, distinct from a traditional funeral, designed to gather loved ones and share stories about the deceased. When planning, key considerations include accurately estimating guest count to select an appropriately sized and private venue, such as Fleur de Lis Event Center which offers spaces like The Private Restaurant for up to 100 guests. Additionally, providing familiar and comforting food, especially in regions like South Louisiana where it signifies community support, is essential, with venues often accommodating custom menu requests.
This guide covers the decisions that matter most and the questions worth asking before you book. It is written for families on the Northshore and around the New Orleans area, and for anyone helping a family who is in the middle of it.
What a celebration of life is
A funeral or memorial service usually follows a set structure. A celebration of life is more open. Some families hold one after the funeral or burial, and some hold it weeks later, when relatives from out of town can travel. Others hold it in place of a traditional service. There is no required format. The point is to gather the people who loved someone and tell the stories.
Celebrations of life are among the events we host at Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville.
Start with how many people will come
The guest count decides the room, so settle it first, even if it is only a range. A celebration of life that is announced in an obituary or shared on social media often draws more people than the family expects. When in doubt, plan toward the higher number. A room that is a little full feels warm. A room that is half empty can feel lonely on a day like this.
At Fleur de Lis, there are three rooms to match against that number:
- The Private Restaurant is booked as a completely private event space for up to approximately 100 guests. It has its own entrance, restrooms, bar, front courtyard and covered patio. There is no formal guest minimum, and many events begin around 20 guests.
- The Jazz Ballroom seats approximately 50 to 175 guests, and holds up to approximately 300 for a standing reception.
- The Pontchartrain Ballroom has a comfortable operating range of approximately 100 to 500 guests.
Those ranges describe how the rooms work best. They are not contractual minimums.
Why is privacy important for a celebration of life?
A family in mourning should not have to share a hallway with a party. The Restaurant is private for your event. Each ballroom also has its own guest entrance, restrooms, bar and private courtyard, so even if another event is on the property, yours has its own space.
Food: feed people, and make it familiar
In South Louisiana, food is how a community shows up for a family. People bring dishes, they gather around a table, and they stay longer because there is something to eat. Plan for that.
- Ask about the menu for your group size. Seated dinners can be accommodated, and groups of roughly 100 or fewer are the best fit for that format.
- Ask about a dish that meant something. Custom menu requests can be considered, and the kitchen can work with a family on recreating a special family recipe when it is operationally feasible. A pot of someone’s gumbo, made the way they made it, can do more than any program.
- Bring dessert from a bakery they loved. Outside commercially prepared desserts are allowed. Outside catering is generally not permitted, so ask the venue before arranging any other food.
What are the alcohol options for a celebration of life?
Some families want a toast with the person’s favorite drink. Others prefer no alcohol at all. Both are fine, and the choice shapes the setup.
- Bar structures can be tailored to the event, including beer and wine, a cash bar, or non-alcoholic and mocktail options.
- Outside alcohol is not permitted. All alcoholic beverages must be provided through Fleur de Lis under its liquor license, so a favorite bottle from home cannot be brought in. If there is a particular wine, champagne or liquor, ask whether it can be ordered through the venue’s licensed channels.
- Uniformed security is required for events with an open bar, and optional for events with a cash bar or no alcohol. Ask how your bar choice affects the plan and the budget.
How to plan a program for a celebration of life?
A few well-chosen moments are better than a long program. Many families settle on three to five speakers, a few minutes each, with a friend or a member of the clergy acting as host to keep things moving. Beyond that:
- Sound. Ask what microphone and speaker setup is available, and test it before guests arrive.
- Photos and video. If you are showing a slideshow, ask what screen and projector the room has, and bring the files on a drive as well as a backup copy. Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue.
- Music. A playlist of the songs they loved can set the tone before anyone speaks.
- A memory table. Photographs, favorite objects and a guest book let people linger. If you want candles, real flames must be contained in a proper vessel.
Does Fleur de Lis offer outdoor spaces for celebrations of life?
Grief comes in waves, and people need somewhere to catch their breath. Each ballroom has a private New Orleans-style courtyard with brick walls, greenery and overhead shade. The Restaurant has its own front courtyard and covered patio. Guests can step outside, gather in small groups or take a quiet minute without leaving the event.
Comfort for older and out-of-town guests
Many people at a celebration of life are older relatives, and many have traveled. A few details help:
- Free on-site parking for 175+ vehicles, with adjoining overflow parking available.
- Overnight parking is allowed.
- The building is fully climate controlled.
- Our primary event spaces are accessible without requiring second-floor access. Second-floor areas are accessible by stairs only and there is no elevator. Please contact us about specific accessibility needs.
When should you call Fleur de Lis to plan a celebration of life?
Celebrations of life are often planned in a week or ten days, so the first step is simple. Call us with the date you have in mind and about how many people you expect. We will tell you the same day what is open and which room fits, and we can go from there. The office is normally staffed Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and tours are also offered on Saturday mornings until roughly 2:00 PM.
Questions to ask any venue
- Will the room be private for our entire event?
- What food options fit our headcount, and can the kitchen recreate a family recipe?
- Can we bring a cake or desserts from a bakery we love?
- What are the alcohol options, and can a specific bottle be ordered?
- What microphone, speaker and screen setup is available?
- Can we bring in photographs and display items before guests arrive?
- Where will older guests park, and what is the path to the room?
- What does the venue handle, so the family does not have to?
How to contact Fleur de Lis for celebration of life planning?
If you are planning a celebration of life in Mandeville, Covington, Slidell or anywhere on the Northshore, call 985-626-9118. Tell us the date you have in mind and about how many people you expect, and we will help you find the room that fits.
About the Author: Taylor Thomas
